Why Get Baptized? on PNN

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Why Get Baptized?

Posted by Karen & Gerard Posted on: 07/31/09

Why Get Baptized?

Pastor Dan addressed this issue in his "Tough Question" series where he answers questions from his congregation.

A common understanding by some is that baptism washes away our sins based on John 3:5 which says, "No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit" but is this really the teaching of Scripture? The short answer is no--the blood of Jesus washes away our sins.

I John 1:7: If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.

This is the tough question Pastor Dan of Parma Heights Baptist Church addressed in his sermon in his "tough question" series on July 26. He explained that being "born of water" refers to physical birth (woman's water breaks) and "born of the Spirit" refers to spiritual birth into God's family as indicated in John 1:12 which says "But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on His name."

First of all, it is clear in scripture that salvation comes by faith in Jesus and not by being baptized. For example:

For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

In Acts 16:30, 31, the jailor asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house." indicating that if his family believed as well, they too would be saved.

There is no mention of baptism here to this direct question, but then in Acts 16:33 and 34 it says he was baptized and all his house believed.

Romans 10:9-10 says

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hat raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

And I love Romans 10:13 which says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

The thief on the cross who expressed his belief in Jesus as being God and admitted his sin was not baptized, yet Jesus told him "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:39-43) The thief didn't have opportunity to be baptized but if he had, I'm guessing he would have been.

I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ when I was about 7 years old and called on Him to save me; however, I did not get baptized until I was in 11th grade (because my fear of being dunked in the water). The reason I finally got baptized is that I wanted to be obedient to the Lord and follow His example. Scripture gives us the following three reasons to be baptized once we accept Jesus as our personal Savior by believing in his death and resurrection and surrendering to His Lordship over us, confessing and turning from sin:

1)    Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize believers in Matthew 28:19 & 20.
2)    Throughout the New Testament, believing and being baptized is the pattern of new believers.
3)    Baptism is your public testimony that you are a follower of Jesus (Matthew 10:32).

So, what is the significance of baptism?

Baptism by immersion in water (which is the way it was always done in the scriptures), pictures our Lord's death, burial and resurrection from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) and relates to our old sinful nature being put to death, buried and now being risen to a new life in Christ, being made alive to God as explained in the following verses:

Romans 6:3-11 (3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. (8) Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (10) For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God, (11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet, not I, but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.

I Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Let me just say, I know some denominations differ on this point, perhaps because of a different interpretation of the scripture. However, I do not believe it is worth arguing over and I respect those who believe baptism is necessary for salvation even though personally I do not believe that view is supported by scripture. The bottom line is that If you believe in Jesus as Savior, you should be baptized if possible as well.

Were you baptized? If so, what was it that convinced you? More importantly, is Jesus your Savior and Lord? (All scripture here is the King James Version).

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Karen & Gerard

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